The 49th round of the Geneva International Discussions was held on 8-9 October 2019. During the negotiations, destructive and provocative actions of the occupation forces taking place on the territory controlled by the Georgian Government, namely in the vicinity of the village of Chorchana, as well as severe humanitarian consequences of closure of so-called crossing points in Tskhinvali region were raised with particular emphasis.

The continuous process of erection of barbed wire fences and other artificial barriers along the occupation line was sharply raised. In this context, special emphasis was placed on the provocative steps of the occupation forces in the village of Gugutiantkari, which resulted in loss of access of several local families to their houses and farmlands. The cases of illegal detentions and kidnappings of people along the occupation line was discussed as another factor of destabilizing the situation.

Particular emphasis was made on gross violations of fundamental rights and freedoms of the population affected by the Russia-Georgia conflict. The representatives of Georgia strongly raised the issue of closure of the occupation line in Tskhinvali region for an uncertain period, which continuous to have the grave humanitarian impact for the local population.

Artificial restrictions imposed on freedom of movement across the occupation line in Abkhazia region during the period of June-September were also emphasized.

One of the key topics of the discussions was the ethnic discrimination and oppression of the residents of Gali and Akhalgori districts. The issue of coercion of local Georgians to change their ethnic identity, as well as the severe consequences of prohibition of education in native language were sharply raised. The participants from Tbilisi highlighted the attempts of erasing Georgian traces in the occupied territories, including the cynical decision to build a landfill in the areas of Georgian settlements in the village of Eredvi.

The representatives of Georgia once again stressed the necessity of execution of justice with regard to the cases of murder of David Basharuli, Giga Otkhozoria and Archil Tatunashvili. The issue of death of another Georgian citizen - Irakli Kvaratskhelia at Russian military base illegally stationed in the occupied Abkhazia region was also discussed.

One of the most significant topics of the discussions was the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees, who have been forcibly expelled from Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia, as a result of ethnic cleansing. The representatives of the EU, UN, OSCE, the US and Georgia extensively talked on the necessity of substantial discussions and reaching tangible results on this humanitarian issue within the Geneva format. However, the participants from Moscow, Sokhumi and Tskhinvali once again demonstrated their irresponsible attitude and walked out of the negotiations.

The next round of Geneva International Discussions will be held on 10-11 December 2019.